The Center for Literacy & Learning

Customized Professional Learning Services for Schools, School Districts and Individual Teachers

Brenda Melara

Brenda Melara

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What is your role with The Center and what are you most excited about?

 I am a Family Engagement Specialist and I’m looking forward to collaborating with our team to fulfill our objective of increasing Louisiana families’ capacity to support their children’s academic success.

What is your background?

I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish and although my degree is in Drama and Communications, I worked for 18 years in the Jefferson Parish Public School System with English Language Learners. I worked in different capacities from parent advisor to interpreter/translator for the different departments. ELLs and their families need lots of resources to learn English, navigate the school system, and assimilate to this country. The educators need creative strategies to teach English and compassion to understand the needs and deficiencies of these families. 

What is your favorite childhood book or literacy memory?

My mother taught me to read in Spanish when I was just a toddler and my father would read to me in English. I also had fabulous teachers that helped me fall in love with reading and writing. My favorite author when I was a 4th grader was Judy Blume, of course.

Flashback to when you were ten years old; what did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

Spain

What passion projects do you have outside of work?

I’m a journalist and I’m the editor of Que Pasa, a bilingual newspaper focusing on art, culture and entertainment. I’m also on the board of Cervantes Hispanic-American Foundation which promotes the Latino arts and culture in Louisiana.